Marksmanship training target



y 7, 1970 G. E. DE VOGELAERE 3,519,272

MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING TARGET Original Filed Jan. 16, 1964 FIG. 2

FIG. 1

FIG. 6

3,519,272 MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING TARGET George E. De Vogelaere, 594 Landing Road N., Rochester, NY. 14625 Original application Jan. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 338,239, now Patent No. 3,402,933, dated Sept. 24, 1968. Divided and this application Sept. 3, 1968, Ser. No. 767,537 Int. Cl. F41 9/14 U.S. Cl. 273105.1 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is a division of my copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 338,239, filed Jan. 16, 1964, entitled Marksmanship Training Target Film, now U.S. Pat. 3,402,933.

This invention relates to a system and apparatus for training marksmen, and more particularly to apparatus for training and testing marksmen in the use of conventional combat-type firearms especially for military and law enforcement requirements. In a broader sense, however, the invention relates to equipment for training and testing any marksman.

Heretofore most firing ranges for training military and law enforcement personnel in the use of firearms (revolvers and rifles) have had to be located out-of-doors, or in specially constructed rooms in which the weapons could be fired safely. To obtain the necessary range length, these rooms have had to be quite long, even for revolver practice; and there are, therefore, only a limited number of such available around the country. The ordinary shooting club could not afford to construct one; and only military and large law-enforcement agencies can afford them. Marksmen interested in shooting merely for sport usually have to find a suitable out-of-door range; and that may mean in some cases traveling considerable distances.

One object of this invention is to provide apparatus and a system for training marksmen which may be safely utilized in any classroom for instruction or demonstration, and which also may be set up in a cellar, garage, or any other restricted but available area in a building or home.

A further object of this invention is to provide training equipment for combat type shooting which is portable and compact.

Another object of this invention is to provide training equipment for combat type shooting which is adapted to be used in conjunction with conventional firearms.

A further object of this invention is to provide compact equipment, which can be used not only for training and testing military and law enforcement personnel but also for training and testing for National Match and Olympic firing courses.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a carrying case United States Patent "ice containing portable apparatus made in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the removable case cover being cut away in part;

FIG. 2 is an end view of this case;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view looking at the case from the opposite side from FIG. 1 and showing the collapsible target screen in its erected or operative position; parts of the screen support and case being cut away;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on the same scale as FIG. 5, and taken along the line 66 in FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on the same scale as FIG. 5 and taken along the line 77 in FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

The target training and testing system of this invention is adapted to be used in any area fifteen to thirty feet long and eight to ten feet wide, and even in a room in a home or building which normally would not be used for target practice, because of the usual dangers inherent with the discharge of a firearm within a building. The apparatus comprises a portable case having a removable cover section, and containing a target screen-range, a modified film strip projector for projecting the images of targets onto the screen when it is erected, film strips for the projector, and a supply of special, screen-range targetpractice ammunition.

The screen comprises a blank paper sheet supplied from a roll rotatably mounted in the lower section of the case. The cover section of the case is adapted to be supported by a pair of telescopic legs which telescope and fold into the lower section of the case when not in use.

When the top or cover section is lifted off the case, the legs can be unfolded and pulled upwardly, and may then be locked in erected position. They can then support the top or cover section of the case in elevated position. Rotatably mounted in this top or cover section is a take-up roll for the paper screen; and secured to this section is a motor for driving this take-up roll. The roll of screen range paper is unwound sufiiciently from the supply roll in the lower section of the case to enable its lead end to be secured to the take-up roll. The target is then ready for use. When one section of the paper has been used up, perforated by missiles, the paper can be advanced by energizing the motor to rotate the takeup roll.

Supported in the cover behind the take-up shaft is a piece of nylon sailcloth, or the like. When the screen support legs have been erected, and the cover section is supported therein in raised position, this piece of cloth depends behind the paper screen, and functions as a shield to stop slugs which are fired at the target paper, after they pass through it.

The projector which may be of conventional construction, will preferably be of a type to project individual frames of film one at a time onto the target paper or screen; and ordinarily each frame will project a different image onto the target paper in order to stimulate successively different conditions which the marksman may be expected to face in a combat situation or the like.

The marksman is given a supply of ammunition corresponding to the caliber of his firearm. Each piece of ammunition comprises a conventional shell casing, variable-powder and primer-solution, a primer cap, and a special modified slug which will act as a normal bullet when fired and during flight, but which will become spent after passing through the target paper and will drop harmlessly into the case after striking the sailcloth backstop suspended behind the target.

The marksman positions himself some to feet in front of the target paper or screen. By an electrical pushbutton mechanism connected to the projector, the instructor causes a target to be flashed onto the target paper for the time allotted to the marksman. The marksman fires at the image during this allotted period. Then the image disappears from the target screen. Then the instructor once again flashes the same target onto the target paper to determine where the marksman has hit the target paper. When the exposed portion of the target paper has been used up, the instructor operates another electrical pushbutton mechanism which causes the take-up shaft in the cover section to be rotated long enough to wind-up the perforated portion of the target paper, and to draw a new, unperforated portion into position.

After use, the telescoping target support legs may be folded down into the lower section of the carrying case, the projector may be stored therein, and the cover section may be secured thereover, to be stored away until the next lesson or practice.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference, and first to FIGS. 1 to 7, the novel screen range apparatus shown comprises a generally rectangular carrying case 21 having a hollow bottom or body section 22, and a hollow cover section 23 which is adapted to be removably secured on top of the lower section 22 by means of a plurality of conventional pivotal clamps 24, and 'by a hasp 28, a staple 30, and padlock 29. Beneath the staple there is a door 33 hinged to the lower section 22 of the case to provide access to, and to close, the storage space 34 in this lower section. A handle 35 is provided for carrying the case. If desired, the case 21 can also be mounted on casters or wheels so as to make it more easily transportable.

Connected at one end thereof by a hinge 41 to the bottom of the lower section 22 adjacent one of its corners is a rectangularly-shaped tube 42. Hinged to a plate in the longitudinally opposite comer of the bottom of the lower section 22 of the case to swing about an axis parellel to the axis of swing of tube 42. is a second rectangularly-shaped tube 43.

Telescopically mounted in the tubes 42 and 43, respectively, are elongate angle irons 46 and 47, respectively. When the tubes 42 and 43 are swung upwardly about their hinges 41 and 44, respectively, the angle iron sections 46 and 47 can be pulled upwardly to erect the frame for supporting the target screen. Conventional slide bolts 51 which are secured to the inside faces of one leg of each angle iron 46 and 47 adjacent one end thereof (the lower end in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6) by anchor plates 48 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are provided to lock the angle iron sections 46 and 47 in upward extended or erected positions. In locking position, each slide bolt 51 projects through an opening 55 in one of the legs of the associated angle iron 46 or 47, and rests on the upper end of the associated tube 42 or 43 (FIG. 6).

When erected, the upper ends of the angle irons 46 and 47 can be engaged in sleeves 56 (FIGS. 4 and 7) secured in corners of the cover section 23 to support the cover section above the lower section 22 as shown in FIGS 3 and 4.

Rotatably journaled in bearings 62 (one of which is shown in FIG. 3) that are secured to the inside of the lower section 22 at opposite ends thereof, is a supply shaft 61. Preferably shaft 61 is the spring-loaded, window shade-type, and has wound thereabout a roll R (FIGS. 3 and 4) of target paper.

Rotatably journaled at opposite ends thereof in opposite ends of the cover section 23 is a take-up shaft 63. At one end thereof (the left end in FIG. 3) the shaft 63 is coupled to the armature or output shaft 64 of a gear head motor 65, which is mounted by a bracket 66 to the exterior of the cover section 23.

Looped over a further shaft 67, which extends between opposite ends of the cover section 23 behind the parallel to the shaft 63, is an endless fabric shield S, made of a tough, flexible material such as nylon sailcloth, or the like. When the case 21 is closed (FIGS. 1 and 2), the flexible shield S folds readily into the lower section 22 of the case.

To prepare the apparatus for target practice, the cover section 23 is removed from the lower section 22, the legs 42, 43 are swung up and their telescopic sections 46, 47 are extended, and the cover section is mounted on the upper ends of the angle iron sections 46 and 47 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The free end of the roll R of target paper is then connected to the take-up roll 63 so that a blank portion P (FIGS 3 and 4) of the paper is disposed in a vertical plane. The shield S drops out of the cover section and is suspended in a vertical plane behind and parallel to the exposed portion P of the target paper. It provides a double-thickness, flexible wall for stopping and deflecting a slug that is fired at and pierces the range-target-paper.

A special-modified film strip projector (not illustrated) is then set up at some fifteen to thirty feet from the exposed target paper P; and a strip of film is inserted into the camera to project a target onto the paper P.

The ammunition used with this training target is adapted to be used in a standard 38, 45, or other conventional caliber revolver, and comprises a conventional, cylindrical shell casing closed at one end thereof by a normal or higher-powered firing head or primer cap. In stead of the solid slug, which is normally employed in standard caliber bullets, however, a hollow, thin-walled soft-lead projectile is employed. The projectile has an open rear end which is seated and crimped in a conventional manner within the open end of the shell casing coaxially thereof, and a blunt, transversely extending closed front end which projects slightly beyond the casing. This type of projectile is designed to fold up upon impact and spend itself, rather than penetrate like a regular bullet would. The primer means contains a charge which is sufiicient to cause the projectile to be propelled from the casing when the primer cap is struck 'by the hammer of the weapon. Moreover this charge is sutficient to expand the side wall of the projectile and cause it to engage the lands of the gun barrel to insure true guidance and travel of the projectile in flight. The power of the projectile can be controlled by increasing the primer used.

Because the training projectiles are fired at the target paper P from a distance of from fifteen to twenty-five feet, they travel at velocities sufficient to cause them to function as normal bullets with respect to the trueness of their flight path. However, due to the fact that they are hollowed out, after passing through the target paper, they will strike the nylon shield S, with relatively little force and will fall harmlessly into the lower section 22 of case 21 therebeneath. They create no danger therefore to a person standing in a room next to that in which the target practice takes place.

A trapdoor on the base side of the lower section of the carrying case, when opened, permits sweeping out all the screen range ammunition projectiles which the nylonsailcloth backstop catches and which drop into this lower section.

The equipment of this invention may be employed in instructing marksmen in firing both from a position in which the revolver is holstered as well as in a position in which the weapon is unholstered. Also there will be different situations propounded that will call for draw, point and fire as Well as draw, aim and fire. The allotted firing time will vary with the problem; and whether the marksman must fire two shots at the target rather than one-e.g., a three second allotment for one shot, a four second allotment for two shots, and so on. These conditions may vary according to the requirements of the organization or service with which the marksman happens to be associated.

Directly after the marksman ceases to fire, the instructor again flashes the same target image on the target paper to score the marksmans firing hits or misses. A new film frame is then advanced in the projector. Ordinarily in order to use the target paper to maximum advantage the frames are arranged on the film strip so that each will project target images onto only a sector of the exposed portion of the target paper P. However, successive frames are related so that they project their target images, respectively, over different portions of the exposed part of the target paper. Thus, with exposure of several successive frames the target paper P will be used over its whole width. Then, through the agency of a conventional ON and OFF switch, which is connected by a long cord to the motor 65, the instructor actuates motor 65 long enough to cause the used, punctured target paper P to be wound onto the take-up roll 63, and to advance a new portion P of the target paper into an exposed position between the case sections 22 and 23.

The system of this invention allows any organization or unit to pick its highest qualified men for the most exacting law, combat, or competition assignments and permits of eliminating in the early training phases any clearly unqualified personnel and of selecting for more intensive or advanced training any trainees who demostrate the mental ability and physical reflexes to evaluate and handle combat or similar situations correctly.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that applicant has provided a novel target system which will substantially eliminate the need for building conventional indoor or out-of-door firing ranges. Moreover, when the apparatus is not being used, it may be carried about in the compact case 21 in much the same manner as a conventional suitcase. Furthermore, since applicants apparatus is suitable for use in the basement or garage of a home, it affords an opportunity for a far greater number of people to develop an interest in target shooting than heretofore was possible because of the very limited number of practice ranges available. Applicants CMT-s'ystem and apparatus simulates the actual firing of a firearm, so that marksmen will know exactly what to expect when they subsequently encounter actual firing conditions. Moreover with applicants apparatus there is a minimum of target replacement cost, since the marksman fires only at images, rather than a printed target; so that the only operational expense is that of replacing the target paper P when the supply roll on shaft 61 is exhausted. This cost is almost negligible compared to the replacement costs of targets in conventional firing ranges.

Applicants special screen-range ammunition, while permitting one to simulate actual firing condition of a weapon, at the same time reduces to almost zero the possibility of accidental bodily injury because of ricocheting bullets.

While the shield S employed with applicants apparatus is described as being made from nylon sailcloth, it is to be understood that other materials can be employed as substitutes or in addition to the nylon sailcloth, such as a plurality of aluminum sheets or strips which can be suspended from shaft 67 when the cover is in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and which are capable of being stored in the case 21 when the latter is closed.

While the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A marksmanship training target for firearms including, a roll of target paper and projectile stop, and having in combination a carrying case consisting of a lower base section, an upper cover section, the upper section mounted when open and ready for use on a pair of telescopic legs, said legs releasably mounted in said lower base section, means for supporting for rotation said roll of target paper within said lower base section, means for mounting a rotatable takeup roll in said upper section, so that target paper may be transported from the lower roll to the upper roll to clear the target area of perforated target paper, means to dive the takeup roll,

the improvement which comprises a freely hanging flexible fiber shield of at least two closely spaced generally coextensive layers mounted adjacent said takeup roll to depend from said upper section behind said target paper when the apparatus is open so that projectiles fired at the apparatus are halted in flight upon striking the shield and fail to penetrate it, and fall into the base section.

2. The marksmanship training target of claim 1 wherein the flexible fiber shield is an endless sheet.

3. The marksmanship training target of claim 1 wherein the flexible fiber shield is nylon sailcloth,

4. The marksmanship training target of claim 1 wherein the flexible fiber shield is a rectangular piece of nylon sailcloth suspended at its center over the supporting means in the upper section of the target.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,795,442 3/1931 Raven 24 1,886,562 11/1932 IeFever 273-1024 X 2,364,695 12/1944 Coleman 16024 X 2,456,857 12/1948 Bergh 273105.1 2,743,106 4/1956 Schels 273103 2,819,903 1/1958 Saunders 273-1024 3,334,902 8/1967 Schwankert 273102.4 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 858,951 12/ 1952 Germany.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 2'73102.4 

